2017 Resolutions for Arizona Car Owners

Right about now, everyone you know is probably talking about how it’s time for a “new year and a new you.” People are making resolutions from losing weight (the old classic) to spending more time with family to becoming a better friend. But one thing that a lot of people overlook is making resolutions as car owners.

What might you need to resolve to do better as a car owner? Here’s a list of some top 2017 resolutions that Arizona car owners are making for this year:

Keep the Car Clean

Car clutter can really creep up on us. Everything seems to look “OK” until all of a sudden it doesn’t. What looks like a fine smattering of dirt on the carpets is suddenly a thick layer of sludge when you notice that there’s a problem. A few stray wrappers turn into a landfill in your back seat. And if you have kids – forget about it.

Make a resolution to keep your car cleaner this year. You’ll feel better about being in your car, and you’ll prevent damage to the carpets and interior because of all the debris inside. Take the trash out every time you get out of your car, and vacuum once a week. Get a wash every two weeks to a month, depending on how frequently you drive.

Keep Up with Maintenance

You know that you should get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but you just watch the odometer creeping up slowly as you continue to tell yourself that you’ll get that oil change “soon.” By the time you get around to making the appointment, it’s been 10,000 miles.

Putting off preventive maintenance can put your car at risk for all kinds of problems that can be quite costly and can significantly shorten the life of your car. Stick to your maintenance schedule for oil changes, tire rotation, filter and fluid changes, and more.

Pay Attention to Your Tires

It’s easy to forget about your tires until you are stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire, but why wait until things get to that point? Pay attention to your tires to prevent inconvenient delays and to protect your car’s overall health. Proper tire tread and pressure will also keep you safer and improve your fuel efficiency.

Monitor your tire pressure regularly, and get your tires rotated and balanced on schedule. Take a look at your tires from time to time to make sure that no signs of wear are showing, such as torn tread or balding.

Respond to Warning Lights Promptly

Those little lights that show up on your dash are there for a reason. They aren’t just an annoyance out of the corner of your eye when driving. If you see a light turn on, get it investigated promptly. Leaving issues untended can cause bigger problems down the road, which can add up to costly repairs.

Most lights signal a pretty serious issue. Some just signal that your tire pressure is low or you need more oil, but even those lights can indicate a big problem if they turn on frequently. Get a checkup if you see any lights come on.

Improve Fuel Efficiency

A number of your driving habits can reduce your fuel efficiency. Make a resolution this year to kick some of those habits, such as leaving your car to idle too long in your driveway on cold mornings, speeding, or driving aggressively. Cut back on doing these things and you’ll save a lot more money this year – and improve your safety on the road.

Be a Safer Driver

There are a lot of other things you can do to drive more safely that don’t have a monetary boost involved. Make it a resolution to always wear your seat belt, to avoid distractions like talking on the cell phone while you’re driving, to obey all posted traffic rules, and more. You will lower your risk of accident, protect your car, and keep your insurance rates low.

Get the Body Repaired

Make your car look better and you’ll feel better driving it. Take care of those paint scratches you’ve been putting off, and finally get those chips in your windshield fixed. If you have major body damage, take the car to a auto body repair shop in Apache Junction and have it properly repaired. You’ll enjoy driving your car more when it looks great, and you’ll maintain the value of your investment.

Make all these resolutions for yourself this year and you’ll have your car much longer, and it will give you fewer problems. You’ll save money, stay safer on the road, and preserve the value of your car.